John Barrett MP for Edinburgh West, 2001-2010

18 December 2009

John Barrett's Christmas Message

As I look back over 2009 and forward to 2010, the end of the decade is a time for some reflection. Ten years ago I was selected as the candidate in Edinburgh West, I was then elected as the MP in 2001, was re-elected in 2005 and will stand down in 2010. As I look forward to my last Christmas as the MP for Edinburgh West, those past 10 years have been memorable for lots of reasons. In my first summer as an MP, the twin towers at the World Trade Centre in New York were attacked and much of what has happened in Parliament and elsewhere in the world in the last 10 years stemmed from that tragic event. In 2010, hopefully the Iraq Inquiry will at last reveal the truth behind decisions made to go to war in Iraq, which was made as part of the supposed war on terror. One of my proudest moments as an MP in the last decade, was to go through the lobby with every single one of my colleagues to vote against that military action, in the face of real hostility from both of the other main parties at Westminster. Much has happened since then and too much to detail here. I am sure the year ahead will also be an interesting one. After a decade of the most memorable experiences of my life, it is now time to look forward to the year ahead - with a General Election and a complete change of direction for me. I would also like to thank all those who supported and worked with me over this period, many of whom have become real friends. A big thanks also goes to all those constituents who have also made it such a worthwhile and interesting job and who have sent me hundreds of letters, cards and emails. Apologies in advance for anyone I missed out from my ever expanding Christmas card list. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Hopefully the troubled times at home and abroad, as well as the recession, will come to an end in the near future and I hope that a brighter future unfolds, particularly for those who have been the most vulnerable, at home and abroad, in the last decade. Finally - all the best for the festive season, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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